Manchester United are keen on renewing the contracts of both Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo before the end of the season.
Manchester United's summer transfer plans will not have been decided just yet, but contract negotiations with current staff at the club look set to be a major part of it.
United have been looking to extend Kobbie Mainoo's contract for the best part of the last 12 months, but his lack of playing time under former manager Rúben Amorim made Mainoo hesitant to sign a new deal, especially after the club changed their terms following an agreement with the England international.
Unlike Mainoo, Harry Maguire's contract expires at the end of this season. The central defender has been free to talk to other clubs outside the Premier League since the beginning of the new year, while he can now talk to other teams in the division about his plans for next season.
However, recent reports suggest United are moving closer to agreeing new contracts with both players, as now confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.
Romano reveals contract progression
Both Maguire and Mainoo were called up for international duty last week, with Thomas Tuchel assessing his squad for the final time before the World Cup this summer. The United duo impressed, and it appears United's higher-ups think the same and are now looking to accelerate contract talks.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano said: "With Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo returning from the national team, Manchester United are now prepared to accelerate and formally close both new contracts for the players before the World Cup.
"So this is the mission before the end of the season: sign everything. With Kobbie Mainoo, 2031. And with Harry Maguire, to extend the contract for one more season: 2027, plus an option of 2028. A club option.
"So, the negotiation is already very advanced with Kobbie Mainoo. It is almost done with Harry Maguire, who will sign soon.
"Man United plan to announce everything before the end of the season. This is the club's wish."
Perhaps United's lack of games in midweek will allow CEO Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox to accelerate the contract talks in the hours after training. However, both players will want to know who will be leading them into next season.
Would Carrick staying be good for the squad?
When signing a new player or negotiating a contract with a current star, the head coach is usually a topic of interest. Questions like "What system will they play? Where will I play in the shape? How much am I going to play for the new coach?" will always be asked, but United cannot answer that now, unless they stick with Carrick.
Keeping Carrick as the head coach for next season would concern some due to Ole Gunnar Solskjær's time as interim manager before being given the permanent job, but Carrick is his own man and has his own ways.
The squad appear to be happy with Carrick at the helm, and why wouldn't they be? They are winning games, they are playing good football, and they are returning to the Champions League.
On top of that, United's first choices to replace Carrick have either signed new contracts or look set to sign new deals with their current employers.
Keeping Carrick wouldn't only be easier, but it now seems like the most sensible decision.